75 Years of Superman: Superman- The Music Box Set

I remember when it was first announced more than five years ago that a Superman music box set was being prepared for release by the good folks over at Film Score Monthly. I could hardly believe it. All four scores to the Christopher Reeve Superman films would be released, complete in one box set (a limited edition of 3000). The release was set for February 29th, and when the box set went on sale at 3 p.m. EST, the Screen Archives Entertainment website (which was the only website selling it) crashed due to all the people trying to place an order for it. It took me an hour-and-a-half just to place my order, but it was worth it. After a few months, the box set sold out, but the demand for it was still enough that another pressing of 3000 was made.

So, what exactly is in the box set? An eight-disc set containing all four digitally remastered scores to the Christopher Reeve Superman films (including the 100 minute complete score to 1987’s Superman IV: The Quest For Peace, which had never received a soundtrack release before). The music from the 1988 animated series produced by Ruby-Spears is also included in the set (the years designated on the box set were 1978-1988). There are also loads of alternate score cues, source music, and regular songs (some for Superman III, others for Superman IV). There is also a small (but lengthy) book that accompanies the set; it contains a ton of information on the movies and the scores (Superman IV was the most interesting section; there’s even a page that shows what the canceled 1987 soundtrack release would’ve contained).

The bottom line: All the music sounds great, and this is a must-have if you’re a Superman fan. There are still some copies floating around on the internet (kind of like General Zod, Ursa, and Non before they were freed from the Phantom Zone); I strongly recommend buying one before it’s too late. For more info and additional specs, please check here.

1978’s Superman – Music by John Williams (Oscar Nomination)
1980’s Superman II – Music by Ken Thorne based on original themes by John Williams
1983’s Superman III – Music by Ken Thorne based on original themes by John Williams
1987’s Superman IV: The Quest For Peace – Music by Alexander Courage based on original themes by John Williams*
*John Williams actually came on board to write three new themes for this film (one for Lacy Warfield, one for Nuclear Man [technically both Nuclear Men], and one for little Jeremy).
1988 Ruby-Spears Superman animated series – Music by Ron Jones (yes, the same Ron Jones of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Family Guy fame)